In the spring semester, first-year students continue their writing instruction in a Written and Oral Advocacy course. Currently, our Written and Oral Advocacy program uses a trial court format. Thus, in the spring, the first-year skills course involves preparation of a brief for a trial court motion on a hypothetical problem, and arguing that motion before a "judge," usually a practicing lawyer (and Boalt alum) from the Bay Area. Arguing a trial court motion operates as a chance for students to see their first semester Civil Procedure course in action. And, it provides an additional real-world research experience, to help prepare students for their first summer jobs.